This is the new slogan for road safety in New South Wales.
They’re hanging the banners over the motorway on passovers and walkways to remind drivers to slow down.
It seems more like my life slogan than a branding message for speeding motorists.
I’ve never been so busy, and as I’m going to be overseas for most of June, have 3 new products to launch in the first quarter and its also the start of our new financial year, so all in all, I’ve not had time to scratch myself never mind a blog!
My life is just one big bloody deadline.
Which reminds me, I have an appointment to see a cardiologist tomorrow as a result of my annual medical assessment picking up high blood pressure. Well theres a surprise!
(Actually under heart test conditions, my blood pressure topped 225 – I thought it was normal – they just about called an ambulance!)
Oh well, everything has it’s cost.
Filed under: Doon Unner
I’m lucky to have cadged a ticket to Cannes Media Lions 2008.
From 15th to 22nd June, I’ll be sitting in sunny France watching the best of the worlds creative and media people strut their stuff on this world stage.
I’m really excited to see and hear what the future of our industry holds from some of our best thinkers and listen to medioa icons challenge traditional thinking.
Thats the serious side.
The other side:
It will be just brilliant to be surrounded by historical architecture, culture, beautiful languages and gorgeous European people. Oh and alcohol. And parties. And relaxation.
Obviously I won’t be promoting this side to Tee too much as she’ll be juggling family for 10 days as I’m swanning around Europe.
But I’ll bring back plenty of goodies to appease her. Naturally.
We’ve been making do with one car for ferrying around three kids for about two months.
Ever since the insurance company wrote off my car I’ve been researching a replacement, but in the meantime it just seems a bit silly to fork out a heap of cash for a bit of tin that only gets used on a Saturday morning for weekend sports. (I get the train to work everyday – my bit for the environment!)
Anyway, I worked out it would be cheaper just to hire a car on a Saturday morning to go to football etc but I decided against for various reasons.
One of which maybe the cultural shock for Tee and the kids.
Filed under: Doon Unner | Tags: Advertising, Fat, Forty and Fired, Nigel Marsh
I read this book last week.
It’s about a bloke in advertising who finds himself on the street and takes a year out to experience all the things he missed when he was a workaholic.
Like seeing his kids. Spending time with his wife. Losing wieght.
It was very funny.
I wish I had written it!
The reviewer says:
“It will be a wake-up call for those hard-driving types – male and female – who have forgotten how fleeting life is and how urgent the need to re-order our priorities. Nigel’s style is earth, bawdy, unabashed. and deeply philosophical. When his children read this in years to come, they will be very proud of their Dad.”
I’m hoping my kids will read my blog in years to come and think the same.
Except I’m not getting paid a fortune for my ramblings!
Filed under: Doon Unner | Tags: head of the river, kilts, pipeband, men in kilts
Josh played at the Head of The River Dinner recently and we all turned up to support him.
His mum is disappointed that he now is taller than him, although I’m pleased to see he’s still got a bit to go with his dad.
Especially around the girth.
Last week I took part in a social experiment.
I just didn’t know it at the time.
I received the photos yesterday recording the outcomes of putting 100 Scottish people in a room, emotionally charging the environment and adding music.
And of course, include alcohol.
The results were conclusive.
Stage 1 – Jolly
Stage 2 – Just plain silly
Stage 3- Obliterated
Frodo – Take a bow.
Never one to miss an opportunity that holds a personal benefit I subsequently tracked down the only Scottish winemaker in Australia and offered to drive Mollie to meet her.
Unfortunately it was 5 hours away. And 5 hours back.
So one day a couple of weeks ago, we set out on our journey, just the two of us, to meet Jane Wilson of Lowe Fine Wines in the Mudgee valley.
This would be the equivelent of driving to Birmingham and back for the day. But with far more interestsing scenery and less traffic.
Having stopped on the way for a McDonalds Breakfast, and then sometime later a McDonalds lunch, we finally arrived at the most fantastic wee vineyard set in the most glorious setting.
We spent a couple of hours watching them make the wine and of course sampling their wares.
Mollie was absolutely delighted, inspired and probably a bit pissed, but we stopped off at a McDonalds for our tea on the way home to sober ourselves up.
The biggest market for their wine is infact Scotland and sell to more of the up-market restaurants such as Martin Wisharts and Kinnaird House!
One of the odder co-incidences was that Jane had met an old colleague of mine and TV star, Guy Grieve, on a boat to Oban last year and had lost his contact details.
I offered to forward his details, she offered Mollie a job during the summer.
Payment in wine.
Fair swap I reckon.
I flew back to Scotand yesterday to attend the funeral of Neil Adams a dear friend.
Living so far away and not attending would not have given me the closure over such a distressing loss.
Yesterday, Spade was celebrated with music, laughter, friends, drink and a bucket full of tears.
So today I fly back to Australia more content that I have stood in a bar with all of our friends and his family and sang to the roofs at the top of our voices about a man who will always have a special place in or hearts.
And you know what, I reckon he was in that bar with us.
God bless you Spade.
I’ve had a lot of people contact me over the last few days by phone and email, wishing to comment on some of my ramblings, more specifically around Spade.
For some reason, my blog wasn’t allowing them to post comments on this and other postings.
And it’s not been the first time this has been said.
I discovered this morning that my settings were set to only allow people who had registered with WordPress, to comment!
Well I’ve now fixed the problem, I hope, and they’ll be glad to hear they can go back and vent their feelings on any of the topics I’ve covered without having to worry about such shenanigans.
I loook foward to hearing from you.
At last.
